Washington, DC (PRWEB)
June 23, 2015
The American Academy of Nursing has partnered with Consumer Reports to translate its new Choosing Wisely list of “Things Nurses and Patients Should Question,” containing health care recommendations developed by nurse leaders, into engaging brochures for consumers to reference for common health practices and treatments. Today, the Academy and Consumer Reports released the first two brochures developed from the Academy’s first set of five recommendations, with plans to continue their creation as other recommendations are added to the Academy’s list.
The Choosing Wisely campaign is an initiative of the ABIM Foundation to encourage conversations between patients and their healthcare professionals about what care is genuinely necessary. The Academy leads the nursing profession’s efforts in the
Choosing Wisely campaign through its task force composed of leaders of many national nursing organizations.
“We are proud to partner with the Academy to break out these recommendations into easily understandable information for patients and their families,” said Tara Montgomery, senior director for Health Impact at Consumer Reports. “These brochures will help arm consumers with useful advice in order to have more engaging and impactful conversations with nurses and other health care providers to ensure they are getting the right tests and treatments and avoiding unnecessary care.”
“The Academy is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Consumer Reports to make our recommendations accessible to a broad audience,” said Academy President, Diana J. Mason, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The information in these brochures will empower patients and their families to approach their providers on these practices that patients and nurses should question, and come to the best health solution.”
The first brochure titled, “Hospital Hazards,” focuses on four practices that can harm older people including bed rest, physical restraints, interrupted sleep and urinary catheters. The second brochure focuses on fetal monitoring, titled, “Monitoring Your Baby’s Heartbeat During Labor,” and includes a section offering advice to women on making their labor and birth easier.
The brochures can be found at http://www.ConsumerHealthChoices.org/choosing and will be distributed through the Consumer Reports network of partners, which consists of over 50 national, regional and local organizations, consisting of employer groups, unions and healthcare collaborative.
The Choosing Wisely initiative has engaged over 70 national specialty societies, and has identified more than 350 tests and procedures that have been described as overused and inappropriate, and should be discussed with patients. Consumer Reports develops plain-language translations of these topics, including questions to help patients engage their health care provider in meaningful conversations.
About the American Academy of Nursing
The American Academy of Nursing (http://www.AANnet.org) serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge. The Academy’s more than 2,300 fellows are nursing’s most accomplished leaders in education, management, practice, and research. They have been recognized for their extraordinary contributions to nursing and health care.
About Choosing Wisely®
First announced in December 2011, Choosing Wisely is part of a multi-year effort led by the ABIM Foundation to support and engage physicians in being better stewards of finite health care resources. Participating specialty societies are working with the ABIM Foundation and Consumer Reports to share the lists widely with their members and convene discussions about the physician’s role in helping patients make wise choices. Learn more at http://www.ChoosingWisely.org.
About Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is the world’s largest and most trusted nonprofit, consumer organization driving marketplace change to improve the lives and amplify the voices of consumers. Founded in 1936 Consumer Reports has achieved substantial gains for consumers on food and product safety, financial reform, health and other issues. The organization has advanced important policies to cut hospital-acquired infections, prohibit predatory lending practices and combat dangerous toxins in food. Consumer Reports independent testing and rating of thousands of products and services is made possible by its member-supported 50 plus labs, state-of-the-art auto test center and consumer research center. Consumers Union, a division of Consumer Reports, works for pro-consumer laws and regulations in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace. With more than eight million subscribers to its flagship magazine, website and other publications Consumer Reports accepts no advertising, payment or other support from the companies whose products it evaluates.
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